ing home
that Jemima's letter was still in his pocket. And, therefore, much as he
disliked the appearance of vacillation and weakness, he was obliged to
be at the farmhouse before sunrise to post it.

"If I see her," Gregory said, "I shall only bow to her. She shall see
that I am a man, one who keeps his word."

As to Jemima's letter, he had turned down one corner of the page, and
then turned it back, leaving a deep crease. That would show that he was
neither accepted nor rejected, but that matters were in an intermediate
condition. It was a more poetical way then putting it in plain words.

Gregory was barely in time with his letter, for Waldo was starting when
he reached the homestead, and Em was on the doorstep to see him off.
When he had given the letter, and Waldo had gone, Gregory bowed stiffly
and prepared to remount his own pony, but somewhat slowly. It was still
early; none of the servants were about. Em came up close to him and put
her little hand softly on his arm as he stood by his horse.

"I do love you best of all," she said. She was not frightened now,
however much he kissed her. "I wish I was beautiful and nice," she
added, looking up into his eyes as he held her against his breast.

"My darling, to me you are more beautiful than all the women in the
world; dearer to me than everything it holds. If you were in hell I
would go after you to find you there! If you were dead, though my body
moved, my soul would be under the ground with you. All life as I pass
with you in my arms will be perfect to me. It will pass, pass like a ray
of sunshine."

Em thought how beautiful and grand his face was as she looked up into
it. She raised her hand gently and put it on his forehead.

"You are so silent, so cold, my Em," he cried. "Have you nothing to say
to me?"

A little shade of wonder filled her eyes.

"I will do everything you tell me," she said.

"What else could she say? Her idea of love was only service.

"Then, my own precious one, promise never to kiss that fellow again. I
cannot bear that you should love any one but me. You must not! I will
not have it! If every relation I had in the world were to die tomorrow,
I would be quite happy if I still only had you! My darling, my love, why
are you so cold? Promise me not to love him any more. If you asked me to
do anything for you, I would do it, though it cost my life."

Em put her hand very gravely round his neck.

"I will never kiss him," she said,